So, lately the idea of being an authentic Christian has been constantly on my mind. I’ve been asking myself, Gary (my husband), our staff and leaders to think about what that means, what that looks like in our lives. It’s our theme for this summer and likely for this fall as well. Do people see something different, something Christ-like when they look at me? Am I really walking the talk?
Well, these questions led to me start a small group on James this summer. Seemed like a good idea at the time. I mean James is the “do what it says” book, after all. In our first week, I challenged our students that we shouldn’t just read to learn more, but also to evaluate our lives and try our best to live out what we find – to apply these truths and really live more authentic Christian lives. And with that we dug in to the first few verses of this crazy challenging book. Here’s what we found:
James 1: 2-4 (NIV) “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Good stuff, right? So, we discussed trials in our lives and how we actually face them. The common answer I got from the more churched students was, “I try and persevere and get through.” That’s good, no doubt. But, I wanted them to go further. James says not just to persevere, but to consider it “pure joy” whenever we face trials. “How do we do that?” I boldly challenged them.
And, I have to admit, I was pleased at myself. I got them digging deeper, challenging their status quo answers and faith, etc. But, God was just getting started with me, He’s so sneaky. Because that night after waking up when my 6 year old Abby woke up to go to the bathroom (always around 4am!), I couldn’t get back to sleep. My mind started racing about things, specifically, the trials we are going through at CCF right now. (Incidentally, it’s been a great year at CCF. We’ve seen incredible spiritual growth in our students, 4 baptisms, a great closeness in the group, so many good things.) Our one big trial right now, and it’s a biggie, is money. How are we going to get more money? How can we make ends meet? And, how am I going to help do this, since I’ve never done serious fundraising and really hate all things financial? I stayed awake for hours praying and worrying.
I awoke the next morning feeling tired, but a little better. My worry had been replaced by my typical thoughts: “I know God will provide, it’s just tough right now. We just have to keep praying, trust Him, get the word out. We can get through this, all we need to do is, persevere”… aw man! I couldn’t believe it. Not 24 hours since I had taught and tried to drive home the point that James makes (that, if we have real faith in God, if we have the wisdom to accept that He is in control of circumstances and will work them out for the good, then we should not just get through trials, we should have JOY as we face them), bam! In my face. Thanks a lot God.
Now, I know I can’t complain, it’s what I asked for, but the timing… really God? His ways are never quite as we expect, are they?
So, I’m trying to learn better how to walk the talk. My evaluations so far have shown I have a ways to go. I’m challenging and encouraging our staff and students to try and live authentic Christian lives as well. I really believe it’s the only way to make a difference in this world and glorify God. (If you want some good reading on this subject, check out the book UnChristian by David Kinnaman).
I challenge you to join us and do the same. We’re all in this together anyway. Look at your life: how you spend your time, how you spend your money, how you handle trials, how you treat those outside the church, etc. Does everything reflect Christ? Does the world see something different in you when they look at you? Is it something they want? Are you living an authentic Christian life? Pray about it and act. I believe we are meant to be lights in this world. It’s just, well, sometimes we get inundated with everything that surrounds us and we kind of start to blend in too much. Or, maybe we just don’t take the time to think about it, to evaluate, to make changes. We need to.
Thanks for reading my crazy thoughts (I know I write pretty stream of conscious and that drives some folks nuts). I love you guys! Please keep in touch – I love hearing from you, we all do. Please shine like lights in this world. Please let other CCF alums know about our blog, our Facebook page for alums (uga ccf alumni association), and our needs. Again, we are all in this together.
Oh, and if you have the means, we need more money, could you help? (I’m asking you with a joyful smile upon my face :).
Trying to live like Him,
Well, these questions led to me start a small group on James this summer. Seemed like a good idea at the time. I mean James is the “do what it says” book, after all. In our first week, I challenged our students that we shouldn’t just read to learn more, but also to evaluate our lives and try our best to live out what we find – to apply these truths and really live more authentic Christian lives. And with that we dug in to the first few verses of this crazy challenging book. Here’s what we found:
James 1: 2-4 (NIV) “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Good stuff, right? So, we discussed trials in our lives and how we actually face them. The common answer I got from the more churched students was, “I try and persevere and get through.” That’s good, no doubt. But, I wanted them to go further. James says not just to persevere, but to consider it “pure joy” whenever we face trials. “How do we do that?” I boldly challenged them.
And, I have to admit, I was pleased at myself. I got them digging deeper, challenging their status quo answers and faith, etc. But, God was just getting started with me, He’s so sneaky. Because that night after waking up when my 6 year old Abby woke up to go to the bathroom (always around 4am!), I couldn’t get back to sleep. My mind started racing about things, specifically, the trials we are going through at CCF right now. (Incidentally, it’s been a great year at CCF. We’ve seen incredible spiritual growth in our students, 4 baptisms, a great closeness in the group, so many good things.) Our one big trial right now, and it’s a biggie, is money. How are we going to get more money? How can we make ends meet? And, how am I going to help do this, since I’ve never done serious fundraising and really hate all things financial? I stayed awake for hours praying and worrying.
I awoke the next morning feeling tired, but a little better. My worry had been replaced by my typical thoughts: “I know God will provide, it’s just tough right now. We just have to keep praying, trust Him, get the word out. We can get through this, all we need to do is, persevere”… aw man! I couldn’t believe it. Not 24 hours since I had taught and tried to drive home the point that James makes (that, if we have real faith in God, if we have the wisdom to accept that He is in control of circumstances and will work them out for the good, then we should not just get through trials, we should have JOY as we face them), bam! In my face. Thanks a lot God.
Now, I know I can’t complain, it’s what I asked for, but the timing… really God? His ways are never quite as we expect, are they?
So, I’m trying to learn better how to walk the talk. My evaluations so far have shown I have a ways to go. I’m challenging and encouraging our staff and students to try and live authentic Christian lives as well. I really believe it’s the only way to make a difference in this world and glorify God. (If you want some good reading on this subject, check out the book UnChristian by David Kinnaman).
I challenge you to join us and do the same. We’re all in this together anyway. Look at your life: how you spend your time, how you spend your money, how you handle trials, how you treat those outside the church, etc. Does everything reflect Christ? Does the world see something different in you when they look at you? Is it something they want? Are you living an authentic Christian life? Pray about it and act. I believe we are meant to be lights in this world. It’s just, well, sometimes we get inundated with everything that surrounds us and we kind of start to blend in too much. Or, maybe we just don’t take the time to think about it, to evaluate, to make changes. We need to.
Thanks for reading my crazy thoughts (I know I write pretty stream of conscious and that drives some folks nuts). I love you guys! Please keep in touch – I love hearing from you, we all do. Please shine like lights in this world. Please let other CCF alums know about our blog, our Facebook page for alums (uga ccf alumni association), and our needs. Again, we are all in this together.
Oh, and if you have the means, we need more money, could you help? (I’m asking you with a joyful smile upon my face :).
Trying to live like Him,
Angela
(p.s. if you want to know more about our finances, or just to catch up, please don’t hesitate to send me a message or call.)
(p.s. if you want to know more about our finances, or just to catch up, please don’t hesitate to send me a message or call.)
